Ion channels in monocytes and microglia / brain macrophages: Promising therapeutic targets for neurological diseases

Monocyte recruitment and their subsequent transformation to brain macrophages as well as microglial activation are key events in a variety of severe neurological diseases. Activated microglia and brain macrophages can have detrimental effects in brain pathology via the promotion of inflammatory processes and the release of neurotoxic substances. Therefore, it is of great interest to develop strategies aiming at i) the reduction of monocyte infiltration into the damaged brain and ii) specific inhibition of neurotoxic effects by activated microglia / brain macrophages. Recent evidence indicates an important role of ion channels in regulating monocyte chemotaxis and microglial activation. Thus, ion channels of monocytes and microglia / brain macrophages could represent good candidates for therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases.